Chapter 570 - 341: The Target Appears (Part 2)
The Stu Family enjoyed long-standing alliances with the great families of the two major shelters and possessed formidable strength of their own. Their current Clan Leader, Frank Stu, who also presided over the Stu Commerce Association, was a Venerable Powerhouse. That was why he was so influential in both shelters, and how the Stu Commerce Association had become the foremost merchant guild on the Western Continent.
'The Hogan Family, the Stu Family, the Wol Family...'
Su Ze's intuition told him that these three great families likely knew something about the puzzle pieces. The Hogan and Stu Families were already involved, and the Wol Family was probably entangled as well.
In addition, Su Ze noticed that the information he'd gathered included some unverified rumors stating that the relationship between the three families had soured in recent years.
It seemed to have started around the time of Uur Hogan's disappearance, with telltale signs emerging from various clues.
The Hogan Family was currently at a low point, yet the Stu and Wol Families didn't seem to be offering any help or support.
Furthermore, during the recent great beast tide, the two major shelters had not provided any aid or exchanged any resources with each other.
「...」
The Stu Commerce Association released the news that it would be holding a large-scale auction and began promoting it by posting advertisements online and throughout the two major shelters.
As soon as information about the various high-profile items at the auction was released, it immediately caused a massive stir.
Fifth-order extracts, fifth-order natural medicines, fifth-order materials, fourth-order curios...
The eighteen auction items Su Ze had provided were all part of the promotional materials. Each one was a rare treasure, and things like fifth-order extracts were items that money simply couldn't buy.
The vast majority of people couldn't afford a single one of them, but that didn't stop them from following and talking about the event.
After the news was released, it spread through the two major shelters like a hurricane, without any need for the Stu Commerce Association to intentionally promote it.
Among all the auction items, Puzzle Piece No. 1 was completely unremarkable. Crucially, its price was set quite high, so there wasn't much discussion about it.
'A stone slab with an unknown function, yet priced so high. Surely, no sane person would be a sucker and spend a fortune to buy it.'
But for those who knew its purpose, it was a must-have.
This was exactly the kind of person Su Ze wanted to attract. Whoever bid on it would fall under his observation.
Su Ze could see that Frank Stu was interested in Puzzle Piece No. 1. He had originally thought Frank Stu would deliberately reduce the publicity for it, but in reality, he hadn't.
'Could it be that this old fox also wants to use Puzzle Piece No. 1 to lure out Baliss Hogan?'
Not long after the news was released, Su Ze observed Frank Stu leaving Dawn Shelter.
Su Ze controlled the Magic Cube, following him at a leisurely pace all the way to Dawn Shelter.
The Stu Commerce Association also did business in Dawn Shelter, so it wasn't strange for Frank Stu to come here. However, he didn't go to the Stu Commerce Association in Dawn Shelter. Instead, he went directly to the Wol Family to meet with a Venerable Powerhouse.
The Venerable Powerhouse looked to be only in his forties or fifties, but his eyes were filled with the weariness of old age. Su Ze recognized him from photos he'd seen online; it was the man in power at Dawn Shelter, the Wol Family Clan Leader, Craig Wall.
The two of them used their Spiritual Power to set up a Sound Insulation Barrier around them. Su Ze's Perception Tentacles could penetrate the barrier, but he couldn't hear what they were saying.
Fortunately, the two didn't resort to direct Spiritual Transmission and still communicated by speaking. Su Ze could only read their lips, but he was able to grasp the basic meaning of their conversation.
Craig Wall spoke first, asking about the origin of the puzzle piece at the auction.
Frank then recounted how Su Ze had approached him to hold the auction.
"The man calls himself Lin Luo, but I'm still suspicious of his true identity. I've already sent people to the Lin Hua Continent to investigate," Frank said.
Craig nodded. "Be careful. It's very likely he's using this puzzle piece as bait to draw out the others."
"I have the same suspicion, but this also aligns with our interests. I'd like to see if we can lure out Baliss Hogan this time."
"It'll be difficult. After all, your merchant association is hosting this auction. I'm afraid Baliss won't dare to show himself."
"So, this puzzle piece... should we acquire it?" Frank said.
"Of course. If this piece isn't bait, we'll secure it easily; no one will compete with us. If it *is* bait, that person calling himself Lin Luo will watch us win it and then try to track and investigate us. But as long as he isn't a Legendary-rank powerhouse, we have nothing to fear."
"That's not a concern. He's a Venerable-rank, just like you and me. The only fear is if there's a Legendary-rank powerhouse behind him. I'll have a better idea about that once I've finished investigating his background."
"Alright, I'll wait for your news then," Craig said.
Frank stood up to leave, dissipating the Sound Insulation Barrier. Before he left, he added a reminder, "Oh, and remember to have someone stake out the area near the Legacy Point, just in case Baliss goes there."
"Baliss Hogan won't dare to show up at the auction, but after seeing the promotional info, he'll very likely go to the Legacy Point to check it out."
"Don't worry, I'll arrange it," Craig said with a nod.
The two parted ways, and Frank returned to Dawn Shelter along the same route he came.
As Su Ze followed Frank, he analyzed the information he had just gleaned from lip-reading aboard his ship.
'My previous guess was right. These three great families really do know about the existence of the mysterious legacy.'
'And from the sound of it, the fourth puzzle piece is very likely in Baliss Hogan's possession.'
'And it seems Baliss left Dawn Shelter and went into hiding specifically to avoid people from the Stu and Wol Families.'